Top beneficiaries of Alabama's DROP program

Forty-nine people have accumulated more than $500,000 in their Alabama Deferred Retirement Option Program accounts, with Joe Reed, associate executive secretary of the Alabama Education Association topping the list at almost $1.5 million.

The state House of Repesentatives is debating repealing the program, saying it is too expensive. Supporters say the plan entices teachers and other experienced employees to stay in their jobs longer.

DROP allows teachers and state employees who are 55 years of age and have 25 years of service to continue working while also drawing retirement pay. Their retirement pay for five years goes into a special account, where it earns guaranteed interest, and the employee can get the money in a lump sum when they do retire.